Sporting event logistics system

ABSTRACT

A sporting event logistics system for use by a spectator in connection with attendance at a sporting event, the system comprising a map of a sporting event venue with predetermined rendezvous locations provided thereon, a personalized pace schedule cross-referencing predicted sporting event times with the predetermined rendezvous locations, a personalized event schedule listing information relating to the sporting event and the spectator, a personalized crew contact schedule listing contact information for crew members, and a carrying device adapted to carry the map, personalized pace schedule, personalized event schedule, and personalized crew contact schedule.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods forincreasing spectator convenience, support, and overall enjoyment at asporting event, as well as providing logistic support for a participantin the sporting event.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sporting events, such as but not limited to, marathon races are oftenconfusing affairs for both participants and spectators alike. Thisconfusion is often enhanced for spectators who are unaware anduneducated in the intricacies of the relevant venue. This may result inspectators becoming lost or confused, and therefore they may miss theiractual goal of the event—to provide support and cheer for those theywish to.

The element of support, from both friends and strangers alike, isgenerally seen as a contributing factor in the success of long distanceand marathon runners. Often, having a familiar face cheering for therunner may provide enough motivation and support for the runner tocontinue, despite any discomfort the runner may feel.

This impact of support on the participants often leads to spectatorsattempting to cheer on a particular participant in as many places alongthe course route as possible. However, confusion and lack of knowledgeof the course route and the course venue often results in missedrendezvous, thereby depriving the participant of much needed support.

The confusion that often results in these missed rendezvous may begenerated by an unfamiliarity with the course, a lack of relevant andnecessary information in order for more than one spectator to coordinatetheir efforts, and/or a lack of knowledge of a specific participant'space and therefore the best areas in which to cheer them on. Similarly,many long distance race venues have predetermined areas with elevatedstands and/or seats from which to cheer the participants on. Each ofthese factors, unless informed to the spectator, may deprive theparticipant of the expected, and often much needed support.

Since spectators may be unfamiliar with the race venue, they mayfurthermore be unaware of information desirable to provide not onlycoordinated cheering and support efforts, but also to improve theiroverall enjoyment of the event. Such information may include, but is notlimited to, information corresponding to restrooms, automated tellermachines (ATMs), and/or road or walkway closures. The lack of suchinformation may often lead a spectator to become disoriented in theirsurroundings, and therefore inadvertently miss a chance to cheer for aparticipant.

Similarly, there are often more than one spectator who wishes to cheerfor and support a particular participant. Attempts to coordinate theefforts of the group may often result in confusion, and a lack ofdirection. Information regarding the contact information for eachspectator (i.e. cellular or mobile telephone numbers, channels to beused for two-way radios, etc) may be helpful in coordinating theseefforts.

As each race venue is different, spectators are often unaware where theymay best support and cheer on the participants. The determination ofwhere the optimal position for this rendezvous depends not only on therelevant race route, but on the pace at which the participant(s) run.The difficulty in the harmonization of these two factors may also resultin missed chances for providing support and encouragement to theparticipants.

Even when spectators are equipped with information necessary in which tofurther and enhance their enjoyment of such a sporting event, theconvenience of examining each of these piece of information may belacking.

Thus, there is a need for a system and method in which a spectator maybecome familiar with the race venue and its intricacies (i.e., a map ofthe area indicating the race route, and road and walkway closures, aswell as indications of notable landmarks such as restrooms, AutomatedTeller Machines (ATMs)), may be provided with the relevant informationrelating to both fellow spectators (i.e. cellular or mobile telephonenumbers), and/or may be provided with predetermined rendezvous areasbased upon the participant's general pace.

There is also a need for a logistic supply system, which may allow thesporting event participant to be provided with the proper supplies inthe proper time sequence and at the proper locations of the sportingevent venue.

There is also a need for a system which may provide the above describedinformation in an organized and convenient manner. A system which maycompile and organize some or all of the above described information mayalso be used by the spectator and/or the participant as a memento fromthe sporting event.

Various embodiments of the present invention may meet one or more of theaforementioned needs and provide other benefits as well.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A sporting event logistics system for use by a spectator in connectionwith attendance at a sporting event, the system comprising a map of asporting event venue with predetermined rendezvous locations providedthereon, a personalized pace schedule cross-referencing predictedsporting event times with the predetermined rendezvous locations, apersonalized event schedule listing information relating to the sportingevent and the spectator, a personalized crew contact schedule listingcontact information for crew members, and a carrying device adapted tocarry the map, personalized pace schedule, personalized event schedule,and personalized crew contact schedule.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only,and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanyingdrawings, which are incorporated herein by reference, and whichconstitute a part of the specification, illustrate certain embodimentsof the invention and, together with the detailed description, serve toexplain the principles of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to assist in the understanding of the invention, reference willnow be made to the appended drawings, in which like reference charactersrefer to like elements. The drawings are explanatory only, and shouldnot be construed as limiting the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sporting event logistics systemaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the various components of a sporting event logisticssystem according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts an example of a map of a sporting event venue inaccordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A illustrates text and graphics that may be on side one of aprinted card included in a sporting event logistics system in accordancewith the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4B illustrates a particular pace chart for a particular participantin a particular sporting event that may be on side two of a printed cardincluded in a sporting event logistics system in accordance with thefirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A illustrates text and graphics that may be on side one of aprinted card included in a sporting event logistics system in accordancewith the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5B depicts a list of names and corresponding phone numbers ofparticular spectators included in a sporting event logistics system inaccordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the system andmethod of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated inthe accompanying drawings. An embodiment of the present invention isshown in FIG. 1 as a sporting event logistics system 10 for use by aspectator in connection with attendance at a sporting event. Thesporting event logistics system 10 comprises an enclosed carrying device100 and a variety of informational pieces 300.

The enclosed carrying device 100 may be formed from a clear material,including, but not limited to, a plastic. The exterior surface of theenclosed carrying device 100 may be imprinted to enhance its visualappeal. The enclosed carrying device 100 may include three (3) sealedsides, and one (1) unsealed side, positioned on the top, which may forman opening 105. The opening 105 may allow a user access to an internalcavity 110.

The tether 200 may be formed from various materials, including, but notlimited to cloth, cord, plastic, ribbon, leather, and/or string. Thetether 200 may be of any color, and may also be multicolored. The lengthof the tether 200 may be variable, but may at a minimum be of a lengthsuch that it may be placed over a user's head and neck.

The tether 200 may be attached to the enclosed carrying device 100 byseveral methods, including, but not limited to, attaching the tether 200at the top right corner 210 and top left corner 211 of the enclosedcarrying device and the top left corner 211 of the enclosed carryingdevice 100 and/or by attaching the tether 200 to a central location 212on the enclosed carrying device 100.

With reference to FIG. 2, the informational pieces 300 may include, butare not limited to, a map of a sporting event venue with predeterminedrendezvous locations provided thereon 310, a personalized pace schedulecross-referencing predicted sporting event times with the predeterminedrendezvous locations 325, a personalized event schedule listinginformation relating to the sporting event and the spectator 321, apersonalized crew contact schedule listing contact information for crewmembers 335, a cover sheet identifying the event and date 331, and/or amiscellaneous informational sheet 340.

With reference to FIG. 3, the map of the sporting venue 310 may beprovided to the user so that the user can acquire some familiarity withthe venue, in order to increase the user's comfort level, as well asenjoyment level. The map of the sporting venue 310 may includereferences to public transportation 311 and/or locations ofpredetermined rendezvous locations 312.

The map of the sporting venue 310 with predetermined rendezvouslocations 312 marked may be provided so that the user is informed whenand where to cheer and support a specified participant. Thepredetermined rendezvous locations 312 are determined with reference toa specific participant's speed or pace, the rate at which the spectatorcan travel from rendezvous location to rendezvous location, and theavailability of viewing locations. The rendezvous locations may also bedetermined with reference to the availability of public transportation,the proximity of public transportation to the rendezvous locations, theproximity of restrooms and other facilities, and the course betweenrendezvous locations.

In general, these rendezvous locations may be selected such that thespectator has as many opportunities as possible to cheer for and supporta particular participant, in locations that are amicable to suchcheering and support. These rendezvous locations may be clearly marked,and may include directions from one location to the next, on the map ofthe sporting venue 310.

With reference to FIG. 4A, the sporting event logistics system 10 mayalso include a two-sided preprinted card 320. FIG. 4A illustrates theidentification and logistic support side 321, containing information ofsupplies that the sporting event participant may wish to be providedwith at particular locations. The identification and logistic supportside 321 may also contain an identification of the sporting event andthe particular participant the sporting event system is supplied for.Two-sided preprinted card 320 is designed to be folded in half alongline 322.

With reference to FIG. 4B the pace chart 325 may be printed on two-sidedpreprinted card 320 opposite the identification and logistic supportside 321. The pace chart 325 may be included in the spectator enjoymentenhancement system 10 and located in the accessible internal cavity 110of the enclosed carrying device 100. The pace chart 325 may list theapproximate times that one or more specified sporting event participantswill be at various locations of the sporting event venue. This chart mayenable the spectator to not only determine the time at which to bepresent at the predetermined rendezvous locations, but also to give thespectator a sense of generally where the specified one or moreparticipants are in the venue.

With reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a second two-sided preprinted card330 may be included in the sporting event logistics system 10. As FIG.5A illustrates, the first side of the second two-sided preprinted card330 may be printed with cover page 331, identifying the sporting eventtitle and the date of the sporting event. The second side of thetwo-sided preprinted card 330 may include a list of contact information335.

The contact information 335 may also be included in the internal cavity110 of the enclosed carrying device 100. The contact information 335 mayinclude the cellular or mobile telephone numbers of other spectators,and/or of one or more participants. The contact information may allowone or more spectators to coordinate their movement betweenpredetermined rendezvous locations, to allow one or more spectators tocontact one or more participants prior to or following the sportingevent, and/or provide the information necessary for communication formultiple other reasons.

The miscellaneous information 340 may also be included in the internalcavity 110 of the enclosed carrying device 100. The miscellaneousinformation may include but is not limited to, information regardinghotels and lodging, information regarding restaurants and eateries inthe area, and/or information regarding transportation. This informationmay be included in the sporting event logistics system 10 in order tosupply the spectator with relevant information regarding his or hersurroundings, such that the comfort level, and thus the enjoyment level,of the spectator may be enhanced.

Additionally, in order to aid the sporting event participant inidentifying the spectators specific to that participant, unique attireand/or an identifying theme may be provided for the spectators. Suchattire and and/or theme may be known to the sporting event participantprior to the start of the sporting event, and may thus aid theparticipant in recognizing specific spectators, thereby increasing thefeeling of support and thus perhaps motivation of the participant.Moreover, particular spectators may be designated to supply theparticipant with particular logistic support during the event. Theinteraction of the participant and the spectator must often be quick,and thus recognition of a specific spectator assigned a specificlogistic support duty must also be quick. Such unique attire and/oridentifying theme may aid in enhance and expedite this recognition.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the construction,configuration, and/or operation of the present invention withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the invention.

1. A sporting event logistics system for use by a spectator inconnection with attendance at a sporting event, the system comprising: amap of a sporting event venue with predetermined rendezvous locationsprovided thereon; a personalized pace schedule cross-referencingpredicted sporting event times with the predetermined rendezvouslocations; a personalized event schedule listing information relating tothe sporting event and the spectator; a personalized crew contactschedule listing contact information for crew members; and a carryingdevice adapted to carry the map, personalized pace schedule,personalized event schedule, and personalized crew contact schedule. 2.The system of claim 1 wherein the personalized pace schedule iscolor-coded to indicate particular predetermined rendezvous locationsfor particular crew members.
 3. The system of claim 1 further comprisingone or more tickets relating to the sporting event.
 4. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the personalized event schedule lists pre-event orpost-event activities relative to the sporting event.
 5. The system ofclaim 1 further comprising a photograph of a sporting event participant.6. The system of claim 1 wherein the predetermined rendezvous locationsare determined based on one or more factors selected from the groupconsisting of: the pace of a specified participant in the sportingevent, the proximity of the rendezvous locations to each other, theproximity of the rendezvous locations to public transportation, the timerequired for the spectator to reach successive rendezvous locations, andfacilities available near rendezvous locations.
 7. The system of claim 1wherein the schedules collectively provide information selected from thelist consisting of: names of other spectators, contact information ofother spectators, public transportation information, lodginginformation, food service information, and itinerary information.
 8. Thesystem of claim 1 further comprising a tether attached to the carryingdevice, said tether being adapted to hang around a spectator's neck. 9.The system of claim 1 wherein the sporting event is a running event. 10.The system of claim 1 wherein one or more of said schedules are providedon the screen of a portable electronic device.
 11. The system of claim 1wherein one or more said spectators are provided with a uniqueidentifying attire.
 12. A running event logistics system for use by aspectator in connection with observing a participant in the runningevent, the system comprising: a map of a running event venue withpredetermined rendezvous locations for the participant and spectatorprovided thereon; a personalized pace schedule cross-referencing timeswith the predetermined rendezvous locations, wherein the predeterminedrendezvous locations are determined based on historical pace data forthe participant and the predicted time required for the spectator toreach successive rendezvous locations; a personalized event schedulelisting personalized information relating to the running event and thespectator; a personalized crew contact schedule listing contactinformation for crew members; and a carrying device adapted to carry themap, personalized pace schedule, personalized event schedule, andpersonalized crew contact schedule.
 13. The system of claim 12, whereinthe predetermined rendezvous locations are further based on theproximity of the rendezvous locations to each other, the proximity ofthe rendezvous locations to public transportation, or the facilitiesavailable near rendezvous locations.
 14. The system of claim 12 whereinthe personalized pace schedule is color-coded to indicate particularpredetermined rendezvous locations for particular crew members.
 15. Thesystem of claim 12 further comprising one or more tickets relating tothe running event.
 16. The system of claim 12 wherein the personalizedevent schedule lists pre-event and post-event activities relative to therunning event.
 17. The system of claim 12 further comprising aphotograph of the participant.
 18. The system of claim 12 wherein theschedules collectively provide information selected from the listconsisting of: names of other spectators, contact information of otherspectators, public transportation information, lodging information, foodservice information, and itinerary information.
 19. The system of claim12 further comprising a tether attached to the carrying device, saidtether being adapted to hang around a spectator's neck.
 20. The systemof claim 12 wherein the running event is a marathon.
 21. The system ofclaim 12 wherein one or more of said schedules are provided on printedcards.
 22. The system of claim 12 wherein one or more said spectatorsare provided with a unique identifying attire.
 23. A method ofcommunicating to a sporting event spectator, potential locations andtimes for rendezvous with a sporting event participant, the methodcomprising the steps of: receiving historical pace data for aparticipant; predicting a participant pace for the sporting event basedon the historical pace data; predicting a spectator pace for thesporting event; determining a plurality of possible rendezvous locationsbased on the sporting event venue layout; determining rendezvouslocations and times based on the predicted participant pace, thepredicted spectator pace, and the possible rendezvous locations; andcommunicating the determined rendezvous locations and times to thespectator using a map and textual information.
 24. The method of claim23 wherein the step of determining rendezvous locations and times isfurther based on one or more factors selected from the group consistingof: the availability of public transportation, the proximity of publictransportation to the sporting event, the proximity of restrooms to thesporting event, and the proximity of food service to the sporting event.